Primal thoughts

When did our ancestors get the ability to think about the cosmos and create images of gods? Was it after they discovered fire and started to cook their food? As the food was processed over the fire, more of the nutrition was absorbed by the body, which in turn gave the brain more energy, and it started to grow. Did this trigger these big thoughts about the universe, or were there already beings that had these abilities May there be other species out there capable of these grand thoughts and questions? Like a monkey fantasizing about using a perrot to bring messages to his friends on the other side of the forest?